Small-business owners often have a wide variety of items to ship. To facilitate the shipment of these items, the U.S. Postal Service offers a first-class mail parcel option that small business owners may find useful. Because many businesses do not have a mailroom on their premises, this option allows them to mail goods in a professional manner that can enhance their customer satisfaction rates.

Weights and Sizes

The first-class mail parcel option is reserved for items that weigh less than 13 ounces. As of the time of publication, letters cannot weigh more than 3 1/2 ounces. They can be between 3 1/2 inches to 6 1/8 inches high, between 5 inches and 11 1/2 inches long, and as thick as between .007 inches to 1/4 inch. Large envelopes, like packages, cannot weigh more than 13 ounces. They can be no more than 12 inches high by 15 inches long by 3/4 inches thick. Packages cannot not measure more than 108 inches in combined length and girth. The cost of the item being shipped mainly depends on its weight. Tubular items may also incur a surcharge.

What Can Be Shipped

One of the main features of the first-class mail parcel option is that it allows the shipper to mail items that would not normally go through the mail. Packages of several sizes can be shipped, which can be of particular importance to a small business owner. Most business owners, like individuals, sometimes ship items that may not neatly fit into boxes or envelops. Parcel mail accommodates these items. They can include tubes that may contain gifts or other merchandise that cannot be folded or bent.

Typical Shipments

Most business owners, like individuals, sometimes ship items that may not fit neatly, and securely into boxes or envelopes. First-class mail parcel is particularly good for shipping items that can't be folded or bent. This can include anything from a clothing or jewelry item to a fragile item like printed art. Through this option, items can be shipped in tubes or rolls, as well as envelopes.

Returns Made Easier For Customers

Business owners and their customers can also enjoy the convenience of simplified returns for postal items. There are three methods available for the owner to pick up a returned item. The customer can return the parcel to a designated local post office or at local return network distribution center. Lastly, the customer can schedule the item to be picked up. Business owners can either bill their customers later or offer them free returns.

Payment Options

For business owners, the U.S. Postal Service offers several payment options for shipping first-class parcels that range from prepaid priority mail envelopes to accounts that allow for postage to be automatically billed and deducted. Business owners can also allow for automatic deductions from their bank accounts. And no matter if the owner's volume of mailings is high or low, they can order postage meters to use in their offices so they can print postage directly onto their mail.

About the Author

Valerie Fox is a business reporter and editor specializing in consumer affairs and debt management. She has been a writer since 1994, also covering politics, housing and the stock and bond markets. Fox has written for Cox, Gannett and Knight-Ridder newspapers. She holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Florida.